Wild West at 10

Wild West at 10

As Wild West turns double digits, Director, Georgie Upton, rounds up a handful of theteam to celebrate its achievements and look forward to the next ten years.

It’s amazing to think Wild West Communications is now 10 years strong. I joined nine years ago, when we were a tiny team of three, and today there are 14 of us, including two great gals based in Bristol.

For this blog, I thought it would be an eye opener to do a little Q&A with a handful of our team – to get their take on what we do! Read on… (and don’t miss our founder Kate Wild at the end).

Maddi Tiscoe, Head of Wellness & Lifestyle

I’ve been at Wild West for almost five and a half years. I joined initially as a freelancer, after moving down from London to Cornwall – and I’m now Head of Wellness & Lifestyle and a senior account director. It’s been a steep and rewarding learning curve! I followed a love of food and travel and a want for a different pace of life to move down here – and Wild West offered me a platform to continue to develop my career on the same trajectory from the city. It’s been a very fulfilling and valuable journey.

What excites you about Wild West?

The high caliber of clients and connections.

What do you think makes us different?

It is a place full of passion and commitment. We strive to hold our heads high.

What are your highlights since you joined?

Becoming one of Cornwall’s 30 under 30 young business star in 2017.

What are you looking forward to for the next 10 years?

Growing the wellness division and establishing ourselves even further into the full south west business scene.

Katherine Clark, Head of People and Operations

I joined when Wild Card opened their west country office in March 2008. For me it has been about opportunity and personal growth and development. I joined as a Payroll & HR Administrator and now, I am Head of People and Operations. It has been an amazing journey with Wild West, watching our founders continually develop the business with their astute and fluid approach, continually shaping the direction to reflect what have been huge changes in consumer PR practice over these ten exciting years.

What excites you about Wild West?

That ongoing passion at all levels to shape and grow as a business and as individuals.

What do you think makes us different?

Complete understanding of the need to tailor absolutely every client campaign to their specific needs, never generic in our approach.

What are your highlights since you joined?

Wild West separation from Wild Card in Jan 2016 – we stood alone and we flew.

What are you looking forward to for the next 10 years?

A lot more change, growth, opportunity, success.

Kaylie Finn, Senior Account Manager

I joined Wild West as Senior Account Manager three months ago. In this short time, I have been able to jam pack a variety of experiences into 12 weeks – event planning, integrated media relations, building new relationships, and even learning how a Cornish Pasty is made.

What excites you about WW?

Wild West is an high tempo agency which taps into the ambitions of both its clients and its own team.

What do you think makes us different?

The company is passionate about everything it does – from client campaigns, agency initiatives, and even team bonding days! This verve to always go the extra mile inspires teammates to never settle.

Seeing the agency evolve and continue to stay ahead of the curve – and inspire its team to always achieve their best.

Me – Georgie Upton, Director

I joined nine years ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long. I came down from London and had worked with Kate Wild and the team up there a few years previously. I was actually on maternity leave from another agency when Kate got in touch and told me about the position at Wild West (it was still Wild Card, Truro back then). I’m now proud to be the Director of this awesome agency, working alongside a dynamic team who keep me on my toes! I am also lucky enough to work very closely with our founder Kate, who continues to be an inspiration.

What excites you about WW?

The people… The Wild West team and alumni – are a group of sparky, intelligent and creative individuals who strive for the very best. We focus on people’s strengths and celebrate their differences, and what this brings to the team. That’s why I love agency life.

What do you think makes us different?

Ooh there’s a few…

Brand storytelling. Whether that’s a hard-hitting news story or a beautifully crafted picture for Instagram – we tell the bigger picture brand story. We delve into businesses to really get under their skin; there’s a lot of hidden gems that often need to be discovered.

We are agile. We like to make quick decisions, move things along, and even change direction if needed. Whatever is needed to make campaigns fly!

We believe in being ‘better connected’.

What are your highlights since you joined?

Too many to mention them all, but I really value working with such a diverse and brilliant group of clients. We have worked with many of them right from the get-go. They inspire us and we learn from them, just as I hope we continue to add value to their business.

Also being given the position of Director a couple of years ago was, and still is, a huge privilege. A real highlight.

What are you looking forward to for the next 10 years?

When I first started in PR, we were posting and faxing press releases (eek that ages me somewhat). When I joined Wild West in 2009, social media was still in its infancy. We strategically moved to ‘digital first’ some years ago, it was our way of ensuring digital was front and centre in our thinking. Now though it’s core to everything; multi-channel campaigns are what we do. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Kate Wild, Founder and MD

I’m Kate, Founder and MD of both Wild West and our sister London agency Wild Card.

What excites you about WW?

Born and brought up in Cornwall, I love working with and support so many iconic Cornish brands, helping spread the Cornish message far and wide.

What do you think makes us different?

I strongly believe that the Wild West’s team’s commitment to brilliant thinking and campaign activation puts us head and shoulders above the rest. I am hugely proud of what they consistently achieve.

What are your highlights?

A particular highlight was the establishment of Wild West as a business in its own right a couple of years back and the opening of our Bristol office, cementing the business as one of the leading South West communications consultancies.

What are you looking forward to for the next 10 years?

We work in close partnership with a great group of clients and I’m looking forward to seeing the business continue to produce exceptional work as we thrive and grow over the next ten years.

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